Chapter 355: Contribute, Yes; Risk My Life, No

Seeing the Three-Tails raise its head and gather chakra, a massive black hand beside Takuya struck down on it.

"Boom!"

The Three-Tails' head was smashed into the ground, its massive body lifting as if it had lost its balance.

The black hand disappeared after the attack, and Takuya raised his hand, a miniature Tailed Beast Bomb forming in his palm:

"You think you're the only one who can use a Tailed Beast Bomb?"

What a shame.

If Snowy wasn't still asleep, it could have easily taken down the Three-Tails. Snowy was a force to be reckoned with when awake, capable of fighting on par with even the most powerful of Tailed Beasts. Its mastery over chakra and immense strength could have made this battle a one-sided affair.

But now, Takuya had no intention of using the Sharingan to control the Three-Tails, nor did he want to capture it. Such actions would only bring trouble, increasing others' wariness and suspicion toward him. He understood that trying to manipulate the Three-Tails or capture it would make him a target—not only for Kirigakure but also for some within Konoha who were wary of his growing power.

Instead, Takuya's goal was simple: drive the Three-Tails away. Capturing it would be futile.

He could already imagine the aftermath: if he managed to capture the Three-Tails, Kirigakure would eventually negotiate through diplomatic channels after the war. They'd pressure Konoha to return the beast, and in all likelihood, Konoha would comply to maintain political stability and peace, receiving only a token compensation.

At most, they'd get some money or other resources in return.

Why bother with that kind of hassle? Better to just force it back into the sea.

He would contribute his strength to the village, but he wasn't about to risk his life. Not when he knew that the people in power wouldn't do the same for him. He had learned the hard way that loyalty and sacrifice weren't always reciprocated.

Takuya had his own way of doing things now. Unless the Third Hokage stepped down and relinquished his power, there was no way he would give his all for Konoha.

Danger!

The Three-Tails, still dazed from the blow to its head, sensed the threat of the spiraling Tailed Beast Bomb flying toward it. Unable to counterattack in time, it curled up its limbs and head, using its long tail to strike the incoming attack.

The three tails, like iron chains, whipped at the spiraling Tailed Beast Bomb, triggering an explosion and a pained shriek from the Three-Tails. One of its twisting tails fell to the ground, severed and limp.

The explosion left a cloud of debris hanging in the air, and when the dust settled, the severed tail lay motionless on the sand.

...

How brutal!

Watching the severed tail, Jiraiya felt a pang of frustration. Despite all his effort, the Tailed Beast had only grown more aggressive and out of control. He had done his best to contain the beast, yet here was Takuya, arriving on the scene and severing its tail with a single spiraling Tailed Beast Bomb.

It was hard not to feel disheartened.

Am I getting old?

No way—the Toad Sage Jiraiya, the most handsome and dashing of them all, was only in his thirties. He couldn't be old.

He wasn't properly prepared, that was all. Lacking the right techniques to deal with a Tailed Beast put him at a disadvantage. Once this war ended, he would train hard, work on his techniques, and prepare countermeasures for facing Tailed Beasts in the future.

"No need to retreat! Get the medical ninja to start treating the wounded. Those uninjured should gather the bodies of their comrades and the enemy," Jiraiya commanded.

The Six-Tails had been lured away, and now the Three-Tails was visibly injured. Jiraiya was confident that the Three-Tails wouldn't be able to hold out for much longer.

The beast's movements were getting slower, and its attacks more erratic.

"Lightning Release: Thunder Flash!"

Lightning illuminated half the sky as Takuya, holding the Sword of Raijin, brought it down on the Three-Tails, creating a massive crack in its helmet.

"Boom!"

As chakra gathered, a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, enveloping the Sword of Raijin.

"Lightning Slash!"

Takuya lunged at the Three-Tails, slashing at the crack in its armor with the Sword of Raijin.

The sheer force of the strike cracked open the armored plating protecting the Tailed Beast's head. The helmet-like armor shattered into large fragments, falling to the ground with resounding crashes. The Three-Tails let out a guttural roar, a mixture of pain and fury, as the impact caused its head to jerk violently.

Enraged, the Three-Tails fired a high-pressure stream of water at the ground, the powerful force pushing its body away from Takuya and throwing his attack off course.

"Crack!"

With a sharp sound, several grey-white spikes broke off from the Three-Tails' head. The damage was severe, and blood seeped from the wounds, staining the sand beneath it.

The beast was panting heavily now, its breath coming in ragged bursts, a clear sign of its exhaustion.

Dodging the fatal blow, the Three-Tails cast a furious, hateful glance at Takuya before diving into the ocean, disappearing in mere seconds.

No wonder it was a water specialist—its escape speed was impressive.

Takuya's mouth twitched as he looked at his slightly blackened hand and the cracked Sword of Raijin.

The Sword of Raijin was powerful, but it was also too fragile.

After getting hit by the crazed Hōmei from the Kaguya clan, then striking the Three-Tails' head twice, the sword was already damaged.

If Takuya continued using it, he was sure it would break.

"I'll have to make Orochimaru compensate me for the loss," he muttered to himself.

Sheathing the Sword of Raijin, Takuya decided he'd extort Orochimaru for a replacement.

That guy had several Kusanagi swords—it wouldn't be too much to take one, right?

We won?

Just like that?

Ignoring his status as one of the Sannin, Jiraiya plopped down on the ground and rubbed his face.

He made up his mind. After the war, he'd either focus on his Sage Mode or find another path.

He needed to learn techniques specifically for dealing with Tailed Beasts; otherwise, he'd always be at a disadvantage.

"I wonder if I could learn Takuya's lightning techniques."

Takuya had used his Lightning Release to drive off the Three-Tails, and Jiraiya was tempted.

He couldn't use the Tailed Beast Bomb—he didn't have a summoning beast like Snowy, and most powerful jutsu were difficult to master in a short time.

But Lightning Release...

Maybe it was worth a try.

"Hopefully, the kid won't be too stingy," Jiraiya mused aloud.

Wanting to learn was one thing; getting someone to teach you was another.

Jiraiya never imagined there'd come a day when he'd ask Takuya to teach him ninjutsu.

Fortunately, Jiraiya was carefree by nature. If he wanted to do something, he'd do it. As for pride...

What's wrong with learning from someone else?

Who said seniors couldn't learn from juniors?

He had to become stronger.

He had to ensure that the next time a Tailed Beast showed up, he'd be ready—not just for himself but for the comrades who relied on him.

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(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 400+ at Patreon com/ Emik01. 

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